CARIBBEAN - Travel World News

TOURISM CHIEF PASSIONATE
ABOUT SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT
Addressing delegates
at Counterpart
International’s
recent Caribbean
Media Exchange on
Sustainable
Tourism (CMEx) in
San Juan, Puerto
Rico, Terestella
Gonzalez-Denton,
T. GONZALEZ-DENTON
Executive Director
of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC),
stressed it is possible to advance economically
without sacrificing attention to people."One of
my top priorities has been to promote the development
of our tourism product in a responsible
way that is, above all, focused on the wellbeing
of our people and our environment."
Although tourism in Puerto Rico only accounts
for six percent of the Gross National
Product,Gonzalez-Denton and her team recognize
the benefits. "In the Caribbean region as a
whole, tourism represents 35 percent of the
Gross Domestic Product; employing, directly or
indirectly, one out of every four people in the
region, and generating billions in taxes and
revenues for government agencies that are
then reinvested into the community," she
noted.
Gonzalez-Denton acknowledges that there
are many who do not see the benefits that the
industry contributes to communities, choosing
instead to focus on a limited view of social issues,
potential environmental deterioration
and the corrosion of our urban landscape. "It is
true that we must take care how we proceed
when developing tourism on our islands to ensure
these issues are addressed properly, and
this is the responsibility of all of us who work in
the tourism industry." Tourism, she said, ought
to develop while maintaining a delicate balance
of priorities. The executive director believes
that with a well-managed tourism industry,
this balancing act is attainable.
Gonzalez-Denton and local tourism officials
are building an integrated approach to tourism
planning and management, including legislation
and public policy to promote sustainable
tourism.
Legislation, combined with the proposed
Office of Sustainable Tourism of Puerto Rico
Caribbean Caribbea T ravel
and an Environmental Tourism Policy,are a part
of a comprehensive "Master Plan" which will
contribute to Caribbean-wide efforts to develop
a Public Policy of Sustainable Tourism.
Efforts in Puerto Rico include programs to educate
and equip citizens for involvement with
the sustainability movement, to develop and
support eco-tourism projects, and preserve
natural sites and landmarks.
The PRTC will host the upcoming 8th annual
Caribbean conference on Sustainable Tourism
Development from April 25 - 29 in San Juan.
Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC),
www.welcome.topuertorico.org
PORT BONAIRE WELCOMES
PHOTO TOURS DIVERS
Port Bonaire Resort announces the expansion
of their scuba diving services and the
Grand Opening of a new Photo Tours Divers operation.
Photo Tours Divers is a division of Dive
Friends Bonaire, a company devoted to bringing
visitors the best diving and services that
Bonaire has to offer.
In addition to being a PADI 5* Gold Palm operator,
Photo Tours also bring to Port Bonaire
the honored designation of being an official
National Geographic Dive Center. As such, the
resort can offer dive courses within the
National Geographic course curriculum that
offer expanded training beyond the standard
PADI courses. These courses are designed to
broaden a diver’s awareness and take their diving
skills to a level where they are able to observe
and explore just like an underwater scientist.
Port Bonaire and Photo Tours Divers also offer
daily dive boat departures from the resorts
pier, and have both air and Nitrox tanks are
available 24 hours a day for on property diving,
as well as for easy pick up and drop off for off
property dive excursions. Upgrades from air to
Nitrox are provided for free to all Nitrox
Certified Divers. Equipment rental is available
as are conveniently located private lockers.
All of the resorts 26 luxury apartments offer
views of the ocean, surrounding coastline and
the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire,and are
within easy walking distance of Windsock
Beach, one of Bonaire’s only natural sand and
coral beaches.
Fully air-conditioned throughout, all units
have cable TV, telephone, wireless internet and
complete kitchens with washing machine.
Accommodations include one bedroom/one
bathrooms apartments, two bedroom/two
bathroom apartments and a two bedroom
penthouse.
Additional resort amenities include a
concierge service, book exchange, retail area,
fresh water pool and tropical gardens, and easy
entrance to the ocean for snorkeling or diving
along the shorelines coral reef.
8-day/7-night vacationer packages start at
$764 per person based on two people sharing
a one bed/one bath apartment and include accommodations,
a double cabin A/C pick up
truck (fully insured), and all services charges
and taxes. Add six days of 1-tank boat diving
plus unlimited shore diving for an additional
$247 per person, or six days of windsurfing including
the all day use of board and sail, harness
lines and harness for an additional
$275per person. Prices valid from April 22 –
December 20, 2006. Learn to Dive packages
and Airfare Inclusive Packages are also available.
Port Bonaire Resort, 866-WHY-PORT,
portbonaire@diveres.com, www.portbonaire.
com
MAY 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 13